You’ve probably heard that Western Australia has some of the best beaches in the world. I had heard it too, but it wasn’t until I visited the Esperance beaches that I thought, ‘Daaaamn, this is what they’re talking about!’
The truth is, Esperance has been on my “one day” list for ages, but the thought of the long drive from Perth kept me from visiting. Everyone raved about it, but I couldn’t help but wonder: Is it really worth the effort? Spoiler alert: It is.
So, I finally made the trek on a road trip. And, of course, the drive was much longer than I anticipated. But hey, at least the scenery was at times interesting. Along the way, I was reminded that country Australia has a special way of making roads stretch through vast, empty landscapes that seem to go on for hours. Lucky we had some old-school bangers for a full-on car karaoke session to keep us sane.
Though I didn’t have time to explore every beach, almost every inch of coast in Esperance is absolutely stunning. So, in this post, I’m sharing my five favourite beaches (so far)—and if you haven’t heard of them yet, this is your sign to look them up on Instagram.
How to Get to Esperance
It takes on average 8 hours (give or take) to drive from Perth to Esperance (a bit longer if you take the coastal route). But, this is only if traffic conditions are good. We took National Route 1 along the southwest coast so we could stop at some of the quaint towns along the way. These included Bridgetown and Denmark.
As luck would have it, on the day we decided to make the long drive across, we encountered multiple roadworks. The worst one was when they blocked off the main highway to Esperance after Denmark and gave little to no detour signs. What should’ve been an 8-hour drive turned into 16 hours, including hours of off-road driving, as we navigated a way to get back on the highway.
It was hectic.
My tip is to check Waze and MainRoads WA for any roadworks before your journey, so you can plan accordingly and not be in the same situation as us. Oh, and it’s best not to drive during dusk or at night, because there are kangaroos who will stare at you from the side of the road.
If you want to save on time, you can fly into Esperance from Perth via Rex Airlines. Another option for those who don’t want to drive is to use a regional coach from Transwa. In my opinion, having your own vehicle is the best option, as getting around the beaches in Esperance and Cape Le Grand will require driving.
Exploring the Great Ocean Drive
When we asked a local for the best thing to do in Esperance, they told us our trip wouldn’t be complete without the iconic Great Ocean Drive. It’s a 40-kilometre loop that showcases some of the most breathtaking coastal landscapes in Western Australia. And they were right.
On this drive, we were spoiled with panoramic views of rugged cliffs and secluded coves. Not to mention the mesmerising turquoise waters of the Southern Ocean as well. Each lookout point offered a new perspective and a sense of awe.
Twilight Beach
Twilight Beach, with its powdery white sands and striking granite rocks, was also recommended by the local. It’s a peaceful, calm spot, and we were lucky it wasn’t too busy that day. What I loved most about Twilight Beach was climbing the rocks and finding a quiet spot to sit and soak in the tranquility.
Blue Haven Beach
Whilst I never went down to the beach itself, I was able to admire it from above. How gorgeous is the water?! Tucked away in a secluded cove, I can see how Blue Haven Beach got its name.
Eleven Mile Beach
Hands down, Eleven Mile Beach took my breath away out of all the Esperance beaches we visited. I’m 100% sure this is because we got there during sunset. I can’t even find the words to describe the awe-inspiring beauty of the sun dipping beyond the endless ocean. It’s a great place to put your feet up and simply enjoy being present in the moment.
Hellfire Bay
I absolutely adore Hellfire Bay at Cape Le Grand! You know it’s the real deal when the water is crystal-clear, the sand is ultra-fine, and it even squeaks underfoot. Visiting during the school term was definitely one of our best decisions. It felt like we had our own little piece of paradise on earth.
Lucky Bay
Lucky Bay at Cape Le Grand is well-known for having kangaroos hang out amongst the shore. We encountered some cute roos in the carpark but unfortunately they decided not to come down to the beach that day. But, wildlife aside, Lucky Bay is another gorgeous stretch of beach along the cape.
The only thing I wasn’t very fond of were the 4WDs that drive up and down the beach. The introduction of vehicles spoils the serenity and makes it hard to enjoy the beach (you’re constantly looking out for cars behind you).
Final Thoughts
If you’re umm-ing and ahh-ing about visiting Esperance, my two cents is that it is absolutely worth the long drive. Just make sure to book a few nights’ stay to fully soak it all in. And don’t rush! There are plenty of amazing stops along the way, and it would be a real shame to miss out on any of them.
